Apparatus for testing oil wells



Sept. 7, 1937.' E. P. HALLIBURTN APPARATUS FOR TESTING OIL WELLS Filed Aug. 28, 1954 A ll Patented lSept. 7, 193.7v f

s PATENT OFFICE Erle P. Halliburton, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co., Duncan, Okla., a corporation of Delaware Application August za, 1934,- semi No. 741,780

9 Claims.

This invention relates` to an apparatus for testing wells, such as oil wells, and refers particularly to the type of apparatus for testing wells, in which a single; string of pipe is lowered into the oil Well carrying a packer which may be set in the bottom of the well, and carrying also a valve which may be opened and closed by manipulation o! the pipe from the top oi the well.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type mentioned, so constructed that Athe valve or valves controlled in communication with the string of pipe may be operated by vertical motion of the string of pipe and at the same time so construct the apparatus that the weight of the pipe may be used for setting the packer llrmly in position without the valves being opened, except when desired, 'vf-l,

Another object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for testing oil wells, which' In the drawing: l

Figure 4l is a vertical elevation showing the apparatus in position in a `well hole and equipped with the rat hole type o! packer.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partially in vertical section, of the apparatus with the packer removed and the valve shown in the open position.

Figure 3 is a similar view illustrating the valve in a closed position.

Figure 4 is an elevation at right angles t Figure 3 of the upper portion of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is an elevation similar to Figure 1, showing the apparatus equipped with the side wall type of packer in place of the rat hole type of packer.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus is illustrated as comprising a mandrel 2. having a threaded stem 3 at its upper-end for attachment to a' string of pipe 4, as'by a collar 5. In practice, the string of pipe 4 extends to the surface is provided with valves controlled by a verticarf 0f the well beine tested and may be made up of motion of the pipe and yet maybe locked by moved irom the well hole.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for testing oil wells in which the operation of the valves is controlled by a vertical motion of the pipe and in which the construction of the apparatus provides a strong ush shoulder seat of non-yielding character for receiving the weight of the apparatus and force necessary to remove the same from the wel] hole.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a well tester with a valve arrangement which will permit a very accurate control over the opening of the valves so as to avoid any sudden release of pressure on theformation to be tested, and further to provide anarrangement of valves which will not be cut out in testing Wells as in the case of other testers now in use, which frequently cut out the valves in operation due to the sudden release of pressure and the rapid passage of fluid by the valve.

Itis a. further object of the present invention to provide a well tester in which the valves are controlled by vertical motion of the pipe with a pressure chamber, so that the' hydrostatic head of liquid in the well may be used for assisting the operation of closing the valve when it is desired to close the apparatus and withdraw the same from the well hole.

Various further'objects and advantages of the apparatus for `testing wells constituting the present invention will b'e apparent from a de-v scription oi a preferred form or example of such apparatus, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

further reduced and threaded, as indicated at 8. f

It is also provided with a port 9 for discharge oil any fluid which may have leaked by the packing of the tool. To the threaded lower end 8 of the mandrel is threaded a piston Ill which has a reduced portion to receive packing rings II.

The mandrel 2 is provided with one or more pins I2, which operate in J-slots I3 cut in a sleeve i4. 'Ihe sleeve I4 is a portion of the main body oi' the apparatus. The J-slot I3 is provided with one vertical portion I5, in which the pins I2 may move which limit the motion of the mandrel 2 relative to the body so as to prevent the mandrel while in this portion of the slot opening the valves. The slot has a further diagonally slanting portion I6 leading to a vertical section Il, which extends a sufllcient depth so that the mandrel, when the pins are lowered into this portion of the slot, may operate the valves. The J-slot has a further portion I8 in which the pins I2 may be set for locking the apparatus in the open position.

The lsleeve I4 is reduced at its upper end to receive a small sleeve I9 to encase the J-slotl I5, and the sleeve I9 in turn is provided at its upper end with a ring or bead 2U covering the upper end of the sleeve I4. The sleeve I4 isvalso provided with pressure releasing ports y2| for releasing iiuid under the shoulder 'I of the mandrel. The sleeve I4 is also provided with an internal flange 22 for holding rings 23 of a packing against the mandrel 2 and with a packing follower 24 internally threaded to the lower end oi said sleeve.

Cil

In practice, the follower 24 is set flush with the lower end of the sleeve I4, and it is the lower end of the sleeve I4 and the follower 24 which provide a `square seat 'for receiving the. lifting strain from the plunger I0 attached to the mandrel 2.. By this construction the apparatus is provided with a firm strong non-yielding seat for application of the lifting strain to the body of the tool when itis desired to withdraw the apparatus from the well-hole. This construction is found to obviate the difficulties frequently experienced with other types of tools where the lifting strain has been imposed upon a yielding or resilient seat, which frequently has resulted in the tool parting.

Below the sleeve |4 the body is composed of a further sleeve 25 threaded onto the sleeve I4, which sleeve 25 forms below the mandrel 2 a pressure chamber, into which fluid from the well may enter so as to apply the hydrostatic head of such fluid under the plunger I0 and facilitate lifting such plunger upwardly when it is desired to close the valves. Said pressure chamber, which is indicated at 26, is closed at its lower end by a nipple 21 which is a portion of the body of the tool and which is provided with the ports 28 for flow of fluid to and from the pressure chamber 26. The mandrel 2 is threaded at its lower end to a tube 29 to which is threaded a nut 30. The tube 29 extends through the pressure chamber 26 and nipple 21 to provide a passage for uid being tested. Below thenlpple 21 the tube 28 Within the nipple 21 there is provided packing 42, held ln position by follower 43 to prevent leakage of fluid from the chamber 44 into the pressure chamber 26. The lower sleeve 33 of the body is threaded at its lower end, as indicated at 45, for attachment to a packer and perforated inlet tube. In some cases the rat hole type of packer 46 as indicated in Figure 1, having the perforated tube 41 is employed, and in other cases a wall packer 48 having a perforated tube, such as 49 may be used.

In operation of the apparatus thus described, there is attached to a string of drill pipe 4 either the packer 46 or 48, with an inlet tube attached to its lower end. The mandrel 2 is set iny a position where its pins I2 are in the vertical portion i5 of the J-slot in the body. In this position, the end of the slot prohibits the head 3| being lowered a sufficient distance to strike the head 43 of the valve 36. Both valves 36 and 31 are hence in the closed position, and the drill pipe 4 and its communicating ports above the valves 31 and 36 are hence empty of fluid. The apparatus is lowered into the bottom of the well hole, where. in case the side wall packer 48 is used, this packer is set into sealing engagement with the sides of the well hole in any usual or preferred manner, or where the rat hole packer 46 is employed this packer is forced into the top of the rat hole, as indicated in Figure 1. Any desired amount of pressure from the pipe 4 may be employed in aooaoea A so operating the valves to secure a firm seal with out the valves 36 or 31 being opened and without permitting any fluid to enter the drill pipe 4. The operation of seating the packerA prevents the fluid mud which fills the well around the outside of the apparatus from entering the apparatus when the valves 36 and 31 are opened, and at the same time cuts the hydrostatic pressure of this fluid mud from the formation so that Ythe fluids in the formation may enter the inlet pipes and into the apparatus and to the drill pipe 4 whenever the valves are open.

After the packer has been set, the pipe 4 and mandrel 2 are raised slightly and turned to cause the pins I2 on mandrel 2 to pass through the diagonal slot I6 into the second vertical portion. The pipe 4 and mandrel 2 are then lowered to lower mandrel 2 while pins I2 pass down the vertical portion I1 of the J-slot until the head 3|,

mounted on the tube 29, which is connected with' the mandrel tube and, therefore, may be considered a part thereof, strikes-the head 40 on the valve 36. Further lowering of the pipe causes this valve to open, which in turn strikes the head on the lower valve and causes the lower valve to open.

It will be noted that the lower valve opens slightly after the upper valve has opened. This, it has been discovered, is important in securing a gradual opening of the apparatus and preventing any sudden release of pressure on the oil formation. If the fluids in the formation to be tested, whether water, oil, or gas, are under a very high pressure, and if this pressure is suddenly released by a sudden opening of the valves into an empty chamber, both the valves may be in part cut out and the formation may be caused to collapse.

'Ihe apparatus ls left in the open position for a sufficient period of time to make a test, which in case of fluids such as oil or gas will cause the oil or gas to rise in the apparatus and up into the pipe 4 to a height depending upon the pressure behind said fluids in the formation. At the end of this period the pipe is raised to remove the contact between the head 3| of the mandrel and the head 40 of the valve 36, and the valves thereby are returned to the closed position. The operation of elevating pipe 4 and mandrel 2, while leaving the body of the apparatus in a stationary position, is facilitated by the pressure cham ber 26. Fluid in the well enters the ports 28 into this pressure chamber 26 and provides a pressure tending to close the apparatus. This is of value where the apparatus is used in testing loose formations which will not grip solidly the packer. In such cases, were it not for the use of the pressure chamber 26, the packer might be pulled awayfrom its seat without the valves 36 or 31 being closed.

In certain cases, it may happen that the packi er either slips upon its seat or fails to hold, in which case the mud fluid in the well will succeed in entering the apparatus. This is almost always observable to the operator at the top of the Well and it is then his desire to withdraw the apparatus empty. For this purpose, the apparatus may be locked in the open position by turning -the apparatus so as to position the pins I2 of the mandrel in the notch I8 of the slots, whereupon the entire apparatus may be elevated to the top ofthe well and the valves 36 and 31 will be held in' the open position.

While the particular form of the apparatus hereindescribed is well adapted to carry out the that various ,modifications and objects of theinvention. it. is to be understood changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

1. An apparatus for testing a well hole, when attached to a'strin'g of pipe, including a body having means at its' lower endfor attachment with a packer, a mandrelreciprocally mounted withinthe body and' having means at its upper 'end for attachment V,to vthe string of pipe, a normally closed valve within said body adapted to contact the said mandrel and'be actuated thereby tothe drei adapted to reciprocate within said body and open position,and" a pin and slot-connection between said mandrel and body operative, in one position of the mandrel relative to the body, to limit the reciprocatingv motion of the mandrel to prevent its opening the valve, and in another position to permit the mandrelto be lowered suiliciently to open the valve,

2. An apparatus to'beused'in testing wells connected to a packerand a string of pipe, saidY apparatus comprising a] ,bodyA carrying a plurality of vertically 'spacedj apart valves, one adapted to be openedV by engagement with the other, a mandrel adapted to reciprocate within said body and in a lower-position engage the upper valve to openthe same, land a pin'and slot connection between the mandrel and body operative in one position to prevent the lowering of the mandrel relative to the body suiiciently to open the valves and in another position to permit the mandrel to b e lowered sulciently to engage said valves,

3. An apparatus to be used in testing wells connected to a packer and a string of pipe, said apparatus comprising a bodycarrying a plurality of vertically spaced apart valves, one adapted to be opened by engagement with the other, a manin a lower position engage the upper valve to open the same, and a Ypin and slot connection between the mandrel and body operative in one,`

position to prevent lthe lowering of the mandrel relative to the body suiiicientlylto open the valves and in another position to permit the mandrel to be lowered suillciently to engage said valves, said pin and slot connection including a portion for locking the mandrel and body in position for maintaining the valves open.

4. An apparatus to be attached to a packer and string of pipeiortesting a well, said apparatus including a lbody* for carrying valves, valves carried by said body, a mandrel recipro cally mountedwithin said body and adapted to engage said valves for opening the same, and means forming with said body and mandrel a pressure chamber for permittingthe hydrostatic head of fluid within the well to assist in elevat-A 00 ing the mandrel with respect to the body.

5. An apparatus for testing oil wells when con-.

nected with a packer andstring of pipe, said apparatus comprising a body including an upper sleeve, a lower sleeve anda nipple interconnect- 05 ing said sleeves, a valve carried by said lower sleeve of said body, a mandrel positioned to reciprocate f within 4said body and extendingthrough said nipplev so as to be in position for contacting and operating said valve, ports lcon- 70 necting the upper sleeve of said body with the exterior whereby said upper sleeve may operate as a pressure chamber for vertically moving said mandrel.

6. An apparatus for testing oil wells when conthe upper sleeve oi said body with valve.

nected with a'packer andstrins `ci pipe, Said apparatus comprising a body including anupper sleeve, a lower sleeve and a nipple; interconnecting said sleeves, avalve carried by said lower sleeve oi said body, a mandrel positioned to reciprocate within said body and extending through said nipple so as to be in position for contactvalve, ports connecting Athe exterior whereby said upper sleeve may operate asV a ing and operating said pressure chamber for vertically moving said Y mandrel,l and a pin and slot connecting means between said body and mandrel having aportion l adapted on one relative position of the mandrel and body toprohibit the mandrel being lowered suiliciently to open said valves, and having a isV further portion adapted to permit the mandrel ,Y

to'be lowered relative to the body sufiicient to open the valves. A V

'1. An apparatus for testing oil wells when connected with a packer and string of pipe, said apparatus comprising a body including an upper sleeve, a lower sleeve and anipple interconnecting said sleeves, a valve carried by said lower sleeve of said body, a mandrel positioned to reciprocate within .said body .and extending throughy said nipple so as contacting and operating said valve, ports conto be in position for necting the upper sleeve of said body with the exterior whereby said upper'sleeve may operateY as a pressure chamber for vertically moving said mandrel, and a pin and slot connecting means between said body and mandrel having a portion adapted on one relative position of the mandrel and body to prohibit the mandrel being lowered sufficiently to open said valves. having a' further portion adapted to permit the mandrel to be lowered relative to the body suiilcient to open A the valves, and having aiurther portion for locking the mandrel andV body in the valve open position.

8. An connected with a packer and a string'of pipe, said apparatus comprising a body provided in its Vlower `portion with a normally closedV valve ,which is adapted to be pressed downwardly into an open position. amandrel mounted within said body and adapted in Vone position to engage said valve to open the same, stop means operative on one relative position of the mandrel and body to prevent the mandrel being lowered suiliciently to open the valves, and means forming ln the upper portion of the body a chamber communicating with the exterior fluide-of the well for elevating the mandrel relative to the body.

tive to the piston,-an interlocking means be.

tween said body and mandrel operative in one position to prohibit the lowering o! the mandrel relative to the body so as to open the valve and apparatus for testing a well hole when v operative from another position to permit the mandrel to ybe lowered sumciently to open said EPLE P. HAILIBURTON. 

